The Physician Assistant Profession

What is a Physician Assistant (PA)?

The PA Profession evolved during the 1960s in response to the national shortage of
primary care providers.

Sometimes referred to as Mid-level Providers or Advanced Practice Providers, PAs are
highly trained, skilled medical health professionals who work as part of a team with
physicians. PAs are graduates of accredited PA educational programs and are nationally
certified and state-licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician.

What Can PAs Do?

PAs perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret
lab tests, perform clinical procedures, assist in surgery, provide patient education
and counseling and make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes. All 50 states and the
District of Columbia allow PAs to practice and prescribe medications.

Because PAs are trained and educated in a medical model similar to physicians; they
share similar diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning skills. This relationship within
the physician-PA practice is often described as delegated autonomy; where Physicians
delegate medical duties to PAs. Within this range of duties, PAs use autonomous decision-making
for their patient care. This team model is an efficient way to provide high-quality
medical care. In rural areas, PAs may be the only healthcare providers on-site, collaborating
with physicians elsewhere through telecommunication.